Hajj travel groups in Pakistan and from other countries should also train and educate pilgrims on safety
KARACHI: In the aftermath of the Mina tragedy, there have been claims that the Saudi government is responsible for the stampede that occurred. I performed Hajj last year. I know by experience that a lot of responsibility for ensuring safety lies with the pilgrims themselves. It is virtually impossible for any state authority in the world to ‘control’ or ‘manage’ such a large number of people.
While it is rightly believed that the Saudi government could have done more and now, certainly can do more, Hajj travel groups in Pakistan and from other countries should also train and educate pilgrims on safety. They should provide detailed maps and clearly delineate the ‘dos and don’ts’ — something seriously lacking at this point. It is also essential that the emerging blame game on the issue stops. This is turning the entire exercise of Hajj into a controversy. Let’s not forget that Hajj constitutes a basic pillar of Islam and matters relating to it should be dealt with, delicately.
Raqim Haque
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2015.
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